Bolden not on PSU roster, was granted release from scholarship before sanctions

July 30, 2012

Quarterback Rob Bolden's rocky career at Penn State appears to be over as he's no longer on the team's roster and reportedly visited LSU over the weekend.

A source told the Mirror late Sunday night that Bolden had been granted a release from his scholarship even prior to the NCAA sanctions being handed down last Monday. His name was removed from the Nittany Lions' roster online at gopsusports.com Sunday evening.

Calls to the Bolden family went unanswered. The junior was listed as Penn State's third-string quarterback on the summer depth.

It should come as no surprise to many PSU fans that Bolden would transfer, something he tried to do following his freshman season in 2010. Joe Paterno would not release him from his scholarship at that point, however, so Bolden had to stay for the 2011 season or pay his own way at another Division I-A school for a year.

In 2010, the highly touted recruit became the first true freshman quarterback to start a season opener at PSU in 100 years. He sustained a concussion midway through the season and started one more game before losing his job to Matt McGloin.

Bolden and McGloin competed for the starting job in 2011. Bolden started the first seven games despite struggling badly and getting outplayed by McGloin.

The coaching staff finally decided to start McGloin in week eight at Northwestern, and Bolden received little playing time the rest of the regular season. He did start in the TicketCity Bowl because McGloin had gotten injured in a post-practice fight with receiver Curtis Drake.

Bolden completed just 39.3 percent of his passes for 685 yards and threw seven interceptions with only two TDs in 2011. He completed 58 percent for 1,360 yards, five TDs and seven interceptions in 2010.

McGloin already has been named the starting quarterback for this season by coach Bill O'Brien, and Paul Jones will be the backup. Central Cambria product Shane McGregor is third string.

O'Brien was asked about Bolden's status Friday at Big Ten media days and gave a cryptic -- but ultimately telling -- response.

"At this point he's with us, and that's all I can comment on," he said.

SUBHD: No news on Redd

Running back Silas Redd could announce today if he will stay with PSU or transfer to USC.

There was no news on Redd's decision Sunday after he was scheduled to visit USC over the weekend.